Machine for grinding edges of glass plates



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 20, 1952 K. A. WEBER MACHINE FOR GRINDING EDGES OF GLASS PLAT Filed Oct. 22, 1948 INVENTOR.

fizea 14 605352 IQTTOIQ/VEVS May 20, 1952 K. A. WEBER MACHINE FOR GRINDING EDGES OF GLASS PLATES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1948 IN V EN TOR. 1602a H. (05562 BY 197' T OQNE' V5 May 20, 1952 K. A. WEBER 2,

MACHINE FOR GRINDING EDGES OF GLASS PLATES Filed Oct. 22, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet s HTTOQNEVS May 20, 1952 K. A. WEBER MACHINE FOR GRINDING EDGES OF GLASS PLATES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 22, 1948 INVEN TOR. A na 6 (05552 in w 97 GENES/6' Patented May 20, 1952 ]*MAGHINE FOR GRINDING EDGES 0F 7 GLASS PLATES KarlArWeber; Brentwood Heights, Calif., as-

signor to Weber Showcase & Fixture (30., Inc., Los' Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Applicationpctober 22, 1948, Serial No. 55,927

invention relates to glass grindingap'parw tt'is'aiidfi's'"particularly directed toamachine for i oiizfding the 'dg' es of pane's'of glass such as are used in the; indov'v of autoniotive vehicle bo dies, ana -genres to iinprovem'ents ever; the type of apparatus d suosed -in my priOi' P atent 4 N0. 23157 513 5 issuu 'oc r 13,'{193e;-r6r a Glass provided? machine for rounding the edges of g'lass'rpanes;orlithellike which utilizes a'carriage. adaptedzto 'b'ringf'one 'of a number of groups of pahesdnto.opositionifor grinding while another group is" accessible "for .loading and unloading.

""Another objectistto provide means'for removing aexces'szplastic 'binderl of laminated safety glass asjthe carriageinoves'along the base of the machine; {:2 'j; T a I fgAnother object: is toliprovide I a". device of; this type in which the path of travel ofgthe grinder wheelsiniay be, easily changed to accommodate glass panes ,of' -var'ious;lengths.; r

further objectyis to provide means whereby identifying indicia may be applied to the individual" panesj-in one group while another group is being acted -upqnby the grinding wheels.

-s-Otherobjects'and advantages will appear hereinafter n. f I H, i. 1 v. r.

-Figure 1 is a side elevation showinganoutline of-a;preferredembodiment of my invention.

, Figure-=2 -is a similar view on an enlarged scale showing-the grinding wheel assembly positioned between the end framsiof -,the machine.

Figure "3-is;;an-end--view-taken substantially-in the direction: 3 3} a'sshown' in Figure -'2."

Figure "4 is a sectional" elevation .ta'ken substantially on the lines l-flfas shown in Figure 2.

' Figure sisf'aside le tibn'partiy prokenjaway how s l ge. rlmi i' "'e gr-inding wheels areis Claims. (01. 51-32) -vided with a central opening l3".

carriage showing the releasable clamping'ap-' paratus for the glass panes.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines ll as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 88 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a similar view taken substantially on the lines 9 9 as shown in Figure 2 and illustrating in dotted lines the positions taken by the grinder wheelassembly on the various sides of the individual glass panes;

Figure 10 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the 1ines lll-l0 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of grinding wheel having a plurality of edge grinding grooves. p

Figure 12 is a plan view showing sand blast apparatus for cuttingidentifying indicia in each of the panes in loading position.

Referring to the drawings, apair of end frames l0 and II are mounted on a base l2 in spaced relationship, and each of the end frames is prohorizontal guide member I4 is supported on the base and extends between the end frames l0 and H, and a carriage I5 is slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on the guide member I4. A

plurality of panes of glass "5 may be secured at spaced intervals to the carriage, and upon longitudinal movement of the carriage IS on the guide member Mare adapted to pass through. the openings I 3 in the end frames Ill" and ,ll.

to round the exposed edges ofthe, individual panes [6. Each of these grinding wheel assemblies ll includes an abrasive disk l8 provided with at least one peripheral groove I9 and rotatably mounted on a swinging body.2ll. Each of. the bodies 20 is pivotallysupported onthe sleeve 22 which surrounds the longitudinalban h Is. in; a .w hneaol ,sexine sI panes, [6, 5, Each of thebodies 20 is provided-with ai'dr'iving pulley 20a fixed. to the sleeve 22 and.

adapted todrive a driven pulley 18b concentric with the abrasive wheel l8 by means of the V-belt 21. From this description it will be understood that rotation of the sleeve 22 serves to rotate each of the abrasive wheels I8. 7

The longitudinal support 24 is mounted for movement relative to the end frames l and II in order that the grinding wheel assemblies |1 may be progressed along the exposed edges of the glass panes. As best shown in Figure 4 the means for moving the longitudinal member 24 through the desired path preferably comprises an endless chain 28 mounted adjacent each of the end frames l0 and II and constrained to travel through a desired path by means of suitable guides disposed to contact the links of the chain. These guides include the vertical slotted member 29, the curved guide 30, the upper guide 3| and the adjustable guide 32. An idler sprocket 33 and a driving sprocket 34 are rotatably mounted on each of the end frames and engage the links of the chain 28.

Opposite ends of the longitudinal bar 2| are carried on links 35 of the endless chain 28. Brackets 33 and 31 are fixed at opposed ends of the longitudinal support member 24, and these brackets are provided with curved portions 38 around which a tension spring 39 is trained. One end of the spring 39 is fixed to the bracket 36, 31 by means of the attachment fitting 40, and the other end of each tension spring 39 is fixed to a lug 4| carried on a link 42 of the endless chains 28. The drive sprockets 34 are mounted on a common drive shaft 43 extending between the end frames I9 and II. This drive shaft 43 is driven from a motor 44 by way of reduction gear 45 and transmission connections 48 positioned within the pedestal or end frame It). When the driving sprockets 34 are rotated the chain 28 travels along its path as guided by the members 29, 39, 3|, 32 and sprockets 33 and 34. This motion of the chains moves the longitudinal bar 2| and longitudinal support member 24 along the path of the chain links.

As the longitudinal member is progressed through this path of travel the individual grinder units l1 are carried with it, and each of the abrasive wheels l8 travels along the edges of its respective glass pane |B. As shown in Figure 9 the grinder assemblies I1 pass upwardly along the left vertical edge of the pane l6, then move along the curved upper edge thereof'and finally move downwardly along the right vertical edge thereof, so that the exposed edges of the pane are continuously ground by the abrasive wheel [8. A complete cycle for grinding each of the panes preferably comprises movement of the grinder assemblies [1 from the dotted line position at the left side of the drawing to the other dotted line position and return. This is accomplished by causing the driving motor 44 to move the chain in the direction shown by the arrow 41 in Figure 4 and then reversing the direction of motion by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor 44 to return the chain links to their initial position.

The adjustable guide 32 is provided with parallel slots 48 which receive stationary guide bars 49 in sliding relation. The guide bars 49 are mounted on the end frames l0 and The slots 48 are parallel to the substantially horizontal flights or sections of the chain identified as 5|] and 5|. An adjusting screw 52 is provided for moving the guide 32 relative to the guide bars 49. When the adjustable guide 32 is moved in one direction the length of the upper flight 35 is shortened and the lower flight 5| is lengthened; when the adjustable guide is moved in the other direction the upper flight 35 is lengthened and the lower flight 5| is shortened. By this means the path of travel of the chain links isvariable without imposing the requirement of an idler to take up slack.

The individual panes is are mounted on the carriage '|5 and are releasably secured thereto by means of suitable clamping apparatus. As best shown in Figure 6 a plurality of angle brackets 53 may be secured to the carriage |5 at longitudinally spaced intervals and provided with facing 54 for contact with the individual panes 6. A plurality of clamps 55 are mounted on pivot pins 53 which are supported on the carriagez' The clamps 55 for the panes in group A are operated by a common actuator, and similarly the clamps for the panes in group B are actuated by a separate actuator. As shown each of, these actuators comprises a longitudinal rod 51 arranged to pass through apertures 58 in eachjof the clamps 55. A separate coil spring 59 is provided for each of the clamps, and one end of'each spring is fixed to the bar 51 by means of a cross-pin 6|! while the other end of the spring acts against the lower portion of its respective clamp 55. A power cylinder assembly 6| is "provided for actuating each of the bars 51. -Movement of the bar 51 to the .left as shown in Figure 6 causes release pins 62 carried by the bar 51 to engage the lower ends of the clamps 55 so that the facing 63 on each clamp is moved away'from its respective pane l6.

Movement of the actuator rod 51 toward the right allows the individual coil springs 59 to actuate the clamps toward operative position. It will be observed that minor variations in thickness of the individual panes I6 will not adversely afiect the clamping action on that or other panes because the coil springs 59 compensate for such variations in thickness. Suitable hydraulic or pneumatic connections 64 and 65 are provided for actuating the piston 65 within the assembly 6|. While I have shown piston and cylinder means for actuating the rod 51, it is recognized that mechanical means or electrical means may beemployed with good results. The limits of movement of the rod 51 with respect to the carriage I5 may be fixed by means of a stop pin 61on the rod 51 moving within a slot 68 provided on the carriage.

The individual panes l6 are preferably clamped in position on the carriage IS with their forward edges 59 placed in vertical alignment.

This may be conveniently accomplished through the use of an alignment bar 10a mounted on the carriage l5 and adapted to be moved upwardly .when desired to provide a stop for the forward edge 69 for each of the panes I3.

edge 10 of each pane |5 will be positioned in The rearward alignment with the rearward edges on each of the other panes for any one size of pane. Longer panes can be accommodated by adjusting the screw 52 to move the guide 32 in a rearward direction, that is, toward the left as viewed in Figure 4. Panes of greater or lesser height may be accommodated by changing the dimensions of the clamping apparatus on the carriage [5.

Means are provided for moving the carriage l5 longitudinally on the guide |6 through the central openings l3 provided in the end frames I 0 and As shown in the drawings, this means includes a reversible driving motor 12 having a built-in reduction gear 13. The motor 12 drives the countershaft 14 by way of the belt 15 and the countershaft turns a spooling drum 16; A flexible cable 1! has one or more loops which pass around the spooling drum l6, and the ends of the cable are securedto the carriage as shown at 18. Pulleys 19 guide the cable from the spooling drum into position with respect to the carriage l5. It is recognized that any other convenient or desirable form of drive for reciprocating the carriage may be employed. I

When the carriage moves from one end of it stroke to the other the panes in group A move from the exposed position shown in Figure l to an operative position between the end frames In and II and adjacent the grinder wheelassemblies l1. At the same time the panes in group B are moved to the position shown in dotted lines at the right side of the end frame H as shown in Figure 1. Thus the dotted line position of the carriage shows the loading position for group B, while the solid lines show the loading position for group A.

As shown in Figure 12, sand blast means may be provided for marking each of the panes l6 with identifying indicia such as, for example, the trademark of the glass manufacturer. This sand blasting operation may be readily accomplished prior to or following the rounding of the exposed edges of the panes by the edge treating apparatus or grinders I1. A header pipe 88 supported by brackets 8| for turning movement about the axis of the pipe may be provided with individual branch nozzles 82 for each of the panes in the group. The outlet end 83 of each nozzle is directed toward a side face of one'of the panes Hi. In practice I prefer to apply a stencil (not shown) to the pane of glass immediately in advance of the sand blast nozzle. This sand blasting operation for marking the panes with identifyingv indicia takes place while the edge finishing operation is underway, so that there is no loss of time for this operation. The sand blasting may be accomplished either at the time of loading the individual panes onto the carriage I 5 or may occur after the panes have been ground and prior to unloading. When the sand blast operation is complete the header pipe 80 is turned within the brackets 8| to swing the nozzles 82 to an inoperative position.

Safety glassof the'type used in automobile body windowscomm'only is of laminated form with 'a layer of plastic material between layers of glass. When the individual panes of glass are received from the source of manufacture their edges are often coated with excess plastic material which is detrimental to the proper operation of the abrasive grinding wheels l8. In order to remove this. excess plastic material, I prefer to provide a plurality of rotary brush members 84 which are rotatably mounted in a position to con-' the panes which are to be rounded. Thus, I

prefer to; employ apair of vertical brushes, a

horizontal brush. for... the upper curvedi ed e of 75 the panes, and a pair of inclined brushes gen 6 erallydesignated 89a and-shown in dotted lines on Figure 3. While I have shown the brush assemblies only on the end frame II], it is to be understood that a similar group of brush assemblies is to be mounted on the end frame H.

In operation the grinder wheel assemblies I! operate on the edges of the individual panes I6 in one group, while the panes in the other group are in an exposed location for loading, unloading and sand blasting if desired. The reversible driving motor 44 causes the'endless chains 28 to move through a predetermined path on each of the end frames 1 0 and LI The longitudinal support 24 which ispivotally' carried on links of the chain I28 is thus caused to pass through a path of "movement carrying the grinder wheel assemblies withit so' that the abrasive wheel l8 of eachass'embly'rounds the three exposed edges of eachofthe panes [6. As explained in my prior patent identified above, it is important that the rate of linear movement of the grinding wheels with respect to the edges of the panes be maintained substantially constant in order to providea uniform rounding treatment for the panes. This feature requires that the rate of movement of the chain 28 be nonuniform so that the chain may move at'a faster rate while the grindingwheels are passing over the corners where two of the edges join. In order to produce'this nonuniform rate'of movement of the chain, I provide a timin shaft 90 driven from a pulley 9! which is connected to the pulley 93 on shaft 43 by means of the belt 92. Suitable trip fingers 94 are mounted on thetiming shaft 90 and are adapted to contact switch fingers 95 to cause the desired variations in the rate of speed of the driving motor 44. Furthermore, these switch fingers 94 coact with certain of the switch fingers 95 to reverse the direction of rotation of thedriving motor 44 when the grinding wheel assemblies'reach one end of their path of travel.- These switch'fingers also act to interrupt the power supply to the motor 44 when the grinder assemblies I! return to their initial position and swing outwardly away from the rearward edge 10 of the glass panes l6. This swingingmovement of the grinder wheel assemblies l1 away from the pane I6 is accomplished by providing a fixed abutment 96 as shown in Figure '2. A finger 97 on the longitudinalsupport'24 strikes this abutmentHB and pivots the bar 24 together with each of the assemblies I! to an inoperative position.

A motor 98 is carried on the longitudinal support member 24 at one end thereof and is arranged to drive the longitudinal sleeve 22 through suitable gearing comprising driving gear Hi8 and driven gear IBI. From this description it will be understood that the motor 98 supplies power for turning all of the grinder wheels IS simultaneously.

Whenithe rounding of the exposed edges of the 'panelli has been completed by the grinder wheel assemblies, the motor 12 is energized to cause thecarriage I5 to move longitudinally on the base I 2 to movethe completed group of panes to an'accessible location while at the same time bringingthe other group of panes into operative position between the end frames [0 and H The driving motors 81' for the brush assemblies 89 are caused to rotate simultaneously with the motor IZ js'olthatthebrush members 34 are rotating only While the carriage I5 is in motion.

Ip tne modified formio'f my inventionshown in Figure 11 each of the grinding wheel assemblies Ila is provided with an abrasive wheel l8a having a plurality of grooves I911.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a carriage mounted for longitudinal reciprocable movement on the base; means on the carriage for supporting a plurality of groups of panes; a plurality of edge-treating assemblies; common means for supporting said assemblies on the base and for progressing them in a curved path along exposed edges of the panes, said common means defining an opening; and means for moving the carriage along the base through the opening to. bring one group of panes into operative position adjacent the edgetrcating assemblies while moving another group of panes away from such position.

2. In a device for rounding the edges of -a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a carriage mounted for reciprocation on the base; releasable means on the carriage for supporting two groups of panes, each pane being supported at right angles to the direction of travel of the carriage; a plurality of edge-treating assemblies; common means for supporting said assemblies on the base and for progressing them in a curved path along exposed edges of the panes, said common means defining an opening; and means for moving the carriage along the base through the opening to bring one group of panes into operative position adjacent the edge-treating assemblies while moving the other group of panes away from such position.

'3. In a device for rounding theedges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on the base; releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes at an angle to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship; a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each adapted to operate on one of said panes; common means for supporting said assemblies and for progressing them along exposed edges of the panes, said common means including an endless flexible element defining an opening; and means for moving the carriage on the base through the opening to bring the group of panes into operative position adjacent the grinder wheel assemblies or for moving it away from such position, as desired.

4. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like,-the combination of a base; a pair of end frames on the base, each having a central opening; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on the base and adapted to move through said openings; releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes at an angle to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship; a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each adapted to operate on one of said panes; common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames and for progressing them along exposed edges of the panes, said common means including an endless flexible element defining an opening; and means for moving the carriage on the base through the opening to bring the group of panes into operative position adjacent the grinder wheel assemblies or for moving it away from such position, as desired.

5. In a device forrounding the edges of a p1urality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a pair of end frames on the base, each having a central opening; a carriage mounted for reciprocation on the base and adapted to move through said openings; releasable means on the carriage for supporting two groups of panes; each pane being supported at an angle to the direction oftravel of the carriage; a plurality of edge-treating assemblies; common means for supporting said assemblies on the end frames and for progressing them in a curved path along exposed edges of the panes; and means for moving the carriage along the base to bring one group of panes into operative position adjacent the edgetreating assemblies while moving the other group of panes away from such position.

6. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a pair of end frames on the base, each having a central opening; a carriage mounted for reciprocation on the base and adapted to move through said openings; means on the carriage for supporting two groups of panes, each pane being supported at an angle to the direc tion of travel of the carriage; a plurality of edgetreating assemblies, each adapted to operate simultaneously with the others on a single pane; common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames and for progressing them along exposed edges of the panes; and means for moving the carriage on the base to bring one group of panes into operative position between the end frames while moving the other group of panes to a second position at one side of both end frames.

'7. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a. pair of longitudinally spaced end frames, at least one end frame being provided with a central opening, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement through said opening, releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes thereon at right angles to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship, a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each having a grooved abrasive wheel adapted to contact the edges of a single pane; and common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames and for simultaneously progressing them along exposed edges of the panes.

8. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a pair of longitudinally spaced end frames, at least one end frame being provided with a central opening, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement through said opening, releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes theron at right angles to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship, a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each having a grooved abrasive wheel adapted to contact the edges of a single pane; common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames and for simultaneously progressing them along exposed edges of the panes; said means including a power-driven endless flexible element on each of the end frames constrained to move in a predetermined path.

9. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a base; a pair of end frames on the'base,

each having a central opening; a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on the base andadapted to move through said openings; releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes at right angles to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship; a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each adapted to operate on one of said panes; common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames; a powerdriven endless flexible element on each of the end frames and constrained to move in a predetermined path around the opening therein; said common support means being carried on said flexible element whereby the grinder Wheel assemblies may be progressed along the exposed edges of the panes.

10. In a device for rounding the edges of a pane of glass or the like, the combination of a movable support; an edge-treating assembly carried on said support; means for progressing the support relative to a pane of glass so that the edge-treating assembly may round the exposed edges of the glass pane, said means including an endless flexible element constrained to move in a predetermined path having parallel sections; a movable member having guide means for a portion of the length of the path of said endless flexible element between said sections; and means for moving said member in a direction parallel to said sections to shorten one section and lengthen the other whereby the path of travel of the support member and edge-treating assembly may be Varied to conform to glass panes of various sizes.

11. In a device for rounding the edges of a pane of glass or the like, the combination of a movable support; a grinder wheel assembly carried on said support; means for progressing the support relative to a pane of glass so that the grinder wheel assembly may round the exposed edges of the glass pane, said means including an endless flexible element constrained to move in a predetermined path; a movable member having guide means for a portion of the length of the path of said endless flexible element, said member being positioned between parallel flights of said elements; and means for moving said member in a direction parallel to said flights to shorten one flight and lengthen the other whereby the path of travel of the support member and grinder wheel assembly may be varied to conform to glass panes of various sizes.

12. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of: a carriage supporting the panes in spaced relationship; a movable support; a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies carried on said support; means for progressing the support relative to the panes of glass so that the grinder wheel assemblies may round the exposed edges of the glass panes, said means including an endless chain at each end of the support constrained to move in a predetermined path; a movable adjustment member for each chain having guide means for a portion of the length of the path of said chain, each of said adjustment members being positioned between parallel flights of said chain; and means for moving each member in a direction parallel to said flights to shorten one flight and lengthen the other whereby the path of travel of the support member and grinder wheel assemblies may be varied to conform to glass panes of various lengths.

13. In a device for rounding the edges of a plurality of panes of glass or the like, the combination of a pair of longitudinally spaced end frames, at least one end frame being provided with a central opening, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement through said opening, releasable means on the carriage for supporting a group of panes thereon at an angle to the direction of travel of the carriage, and in longitudinally spaced relationship, a plurality of grinder wheel assemblies, each having a grooved abrasive wheel adapted to contact the edges of a single Dane, common means for supporting said assemblies between said end frames and for simultaneously progressing them along exposed edges of the panes, said means including an endless flexible element constrained to move in a predetermined path having parallel sections, a movable member having guide means for a portion of the length of the path of said endless flexible element between said sections, and means for moving said member in a direction parallel to said sections to shorten one section and lengthen the other whereby the path of travel of the support member and edge-treating assembly may be varied to conform to glass panes of various sizes.

KARL A. WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,484,867 Bradley Feb. 26, 1924 1,986,520 Oakley Jan. 1, 1935 1,986,521 Oakley Jan. 1, 1935 2,057,174 Weber Oct. 13, 1936 2,215,692 Fleming Sept. 24, 1940 2,252,879 Calame Aug. 19, 1941 2,262,049 Robinson Nov. 11, 1941 2,328,350 Lindemeyer Aug. 31, 1943 2,375,333 Troendly et a1 May 8, 1945 2,433,464 La Plante Dec. 30, 1947 

